24 JUNE 1899, Page 33

OLD-AGE PENSIONS.

[To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—The only obstacle in the way of your scheme of old-age pensions is that under the present regime many societies would find a difficulty in the way of providing their members with pensions from sixty-five to seventy-five, when the Government is to step in. But this difficulty can be removed. At present the friendly societies, ignoring the fact that many, if not most, men belong to two or more societies, give them an amount of sick pay which is in itself an inducement to malingering. The average sick pay is 14s. a week. I have ascertained that in East London it is a common thing for a workman to draw 14s. from the Oddfellows, another 14e. from the Foresters, and yet another from the sick club assisted by their employers, with the result that they secure 42s. a week. Reduce the sick pay to lls. a week, and not only will there b. effected a great saving over sick pay directly, but indirectly also, because the number of malingerers must sink. Surely the friendly societies could be induced to effect such an im- provement as this, which would enrich the honest member, and perhaps just turn the balance and make it possible fot the society to meet the Government half way in the matter of granting pensions. That malingering is no light evil, but a heavy burden on all the societies alike, any secretary will testify. Resignedly they bear the burden now, but there is no need for such resignation, nor is it wise.—I am, sir, &c.,

W. A. Fox.